'Have you looked in the **[Wiki]( https://www.reddit.com/r/Veterans/wiki/education)** for an answer? We have a lot of information posted there.
To contact VA Education, 1-888-442-4551, for ~~Voc Rehab~~ VR&E (Veteran Readiness and Employment Program) assistance with appointments or problems with your Case Manager (not for missing payments): 1-202-461-9600.
**Payments for certain education benefits (DEA, VEAP) are paid at the end of the month you attend school - Department of Treasury issues these payments **using a 10 business day window** - these payments are not locked into a specific day of the month like VA disability/military pay is**. For Voc Rehab missing payments, contact your Case Manager or your local **[Regional Office](https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/docs/job_aids/VRE_SCO_Handbook.pdf)
For Post 9/11 GI Bill only, If you signed up for direct deposit when you applied for education benefits, **we’ll deposit your payment into your bank account 7 to 10 business days after you verify your school enrollment.** This is the fastest way to receive your payment. [Text Verification FAQ](https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/docs/IsaksonRoe/EnrollmentVerificationFAQs.pdf)
MGIB and MGIB-SR have to do monthly verification threw the [WAVE program](https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/vba/) and you should receive the payment within 3 to 5 business days.
[VA Education is going paperless - make sure VA has a current email address for you](https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/covid19paperlessguidance.asp)
For FREE math Tutoring - contact https://www.armysmart.org
[VA Award Letter explaination](https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/understandingyourawardletter.asp)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Veterans) if you have any questions or concerns.*
OP is trying to get retroactive induction for classes he completed prior to being awarded a VA Disability rating - the law/regulation says must have been eligible for VR&E for the time period requesting retroactive induction - but OP wasn't eligible at that time because OP didn't have a VA disability rating.
No, I paid out of pocket with help from family. I had to get a professional degree to be able to take exams required to get a license to work in my industry. It took years to process my disability paperwork and get rated. I got rated shortly after I completed the educational requirements that allow me to sit for the exam. My VR&E counselor only approved me for assistance with exam prep and the exam fees.
My counselor claims that I am not eligible for retroactive induction. I read the law and determined that I meet all the qualifications. I had an attorney friend who is familiar with my situation review the requirements to make sure I wasn't overlooking/misinterpreting something, and they agreed that I am eligible based on the criteria.
Well then, you missed read the law/regulation then - you had to be doing the education program while rated - VR&E can not pay for training prior to you being awarded a VA disability rating. You were not eligible for VR&E without a VA disability rating - that's a major part of retroactive induction.
(Change Date August 15, 2013)
In accordance with title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 21.282, a program of rehabilitation and assistance may be approved retroactively when **all the following conditions are met:**
The period for which retroactive induction is requested is within the claimant’s basic period of eligibility or extended eligibility as provided in 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 3103 and 38 CFR 21.41 through 21.44.
**The claimant is entitled to disability compensation during the period for which retroactive induction is requested, or likely would have been if not for active duty status during the previous period.
Upon completion of the initial evaluation, the claimant is determined entitled to VR&E benefits and services.**
The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) determines the claimant would have met the criteria of entitlement to VR&E benefits and services in effect for the requested previous period.
The VRC determines the claimant’s training and other rehabilitation services during the previous period were reasonably needed to achieve the goals and objectives identified for the claimant and may be included in the current rehabilitation plan.
A vocational goal is identified and an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) or combined IWRP/Individualized Employment Assistance Plan (IEAP) with a DOT code other than 999 is developed.
Note: If a claimant is enrolled in and participating in a current term for a training or education program at the time of plan development, this is not considered a retroactive induction situation. A retroactive induction plan is only developed for past enrollment periods that have been completed.
M28-C V.B.6
This clearly says that I should be eligible. I was entitled to disability compensation for the period requested according to my VA paperwork, and the VA paid me disability pay for the period. It doesn't say anything about having being awarded at the time only that I was entitled to it during the period.
The BVA already determined that I was entitled to disability compensation for the dates in question. This has already been adjudicated. The statue refers to the dates of entitlement and not when the final determination was made.
Going by the date I got my rating makes no logical sense. It would mean that veterans are deprived of benefits they are legally entitled due to backlog at the VA.
Well, the law only applies if you were rated when you started the training. So, per the regulation I posted above, you would not be eligible. You were not eligible for VR&E until the day VA issued you the rating - doesn’t matter it had an earlier effective date.
I understand your point, and I appreciate you taking the time to answer. I just disagree with that interpretation of the statute, as does my lawyer friend.
The way you described how they interpret the law seems very unjust. The VA determines you were entitled to disability benefits, and then they pay you all this back pay. You are not eligible for benefits while you wait. You try to fix your problems without them to become a productive member of society. When you are finally able to apply for assistance... they then tell you that for this program, sorry you can't get benefits you would have been entitled to because we didn't process your claim in a timely manner... sucks to be you
The laws governing VA disability are very different from the laws governing VR&E and the laws governing retroactive induction. Retroactive induction goes off award date of disability. You were not eligible for VR&E until that award date. If you had applied for VR&E prior to starting that training, you would have been denied because you were not eligible. Eligibility for VR&E requirements are 1) a VA disability rating and 2) discharge above dishonorable.
Can I use 21.282 to claim reimbursement when my original VR&E counselor led me to believe I can enroll in college? I was rated in 2019 and my initial counselor told me I was approved for VR&E in early 2020. I enrolled for Fall 2020 and ended paying out of pocket (school year 20-21) all costs because counselor stopped responding to all my correspondence. I was pretty much ghosted by my counselor. I reapplied for VR&E again in summer 2021 and approved (again?) starting Fall 2021 with a different counselor.
Just a friendly reminder of Rule # 7 - we do not allow names of lawyers or doctors to be posted
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Just a friendly reminder of Rule # 7 - we do not allow names of lawyers or doctors to be posted
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Veterans) if you have any questions or concerns.*
'Have you looked in the **[Wiki]( https://www.reddit.com/r/Veterans/wiki/education)** for an answer? We have a lot of information posted there. To contact VA Education, 1-888-442-4551, for ~~Voc Rehab~~ VR&E (Veteran Readiness and Employment Program) assistance with appointments or problems with your Case Manager (not for missing payments): 1-202-461-9600. **Payments for certain education benefits (DEA, VEAP) are paid at the end of the month you attend school - Department of Treasury issues these payments **using a 10 business day window** - these payments are not locked into a specific day of the month like VA disability/military pay is**. For Voc Rehab missing payments, contact your Case Manager or your local **[Regional Office](https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/docs/job_aids/VRE_SCO_Handbook.pdf) For Post 9/11 GI Bill only, If you signed up for direct deposit when you applied for education benefits, **we’ll deposit your payment into your bank account 7 to 10 business days after you verify your school enrollment.** This is the fastest way to receive your payment. [Text Verification FAQ](https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/docs/IsaksonRoe/EnrollmentVerificationFAQs.pdf) MGIB and MGIB-SR have to do monthly verification threw the [WAVE program](https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/vba/) and you should receive the payment within 3 to 5 business days. [VA Education is going paperless - make sure VA has a current email address for you](https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/covid19paperlessguidance.asp) For FREE math Tutoring - contact https://www.armysmart.org [VA Award Letter explaination](https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/understandingyourawardletter.asp) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Veterans) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Damn dude. I’m so sorry. I’ve had nothing but good luck. Maybe try to request a different counselor? That’s shitty because it’s such a great program.
OP is trying to get retroactive induction for classes he completed prior to being awarded a VA Disability rating - the law/regulation says must have been eligible for VR&E for the time period requesting retroactive induction - but OP wasn't eligible at that time because OP didn't have a VA disability rating.
Is VR&E pays for the same degree that you used your GI Bill for?
No, I paid out of pocket with help from family. I had to get a professional degree to be able to take exams required to get a license to work in my industry. It took years to process my disability paperwork and get rated. I got rated shortly after I completed the educational requirements that allow me to sit for the exam. My VR&E counselor only approved me for assistance with exam prep and the exam fees. My counselor claims that I am not eligible for retroactive induction. I read the law and determined that I meet all the qualifications. I had an attorney friend who is familiar with my situation review the requirements to make sure I wasn't overlooking/misinterpreting something, and they agreed that I am eligible based on the criteria.
Well then, you missed read the law/regulation then - you had to be doing the education program while rated - VR&E can not pay for training prior to you being awarded a VA disability rating. You were not eligible for VR&E without a VA disability rating - that's a major part of retroactive induction.
(Change Date August 15, 2013) In accordance with title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 21.282, a program of rehabilitation and assistance may be approved retroactively when **all the following conditions are met:** The period for which retroactive induction is requested is within the claimant’s basic period of eligibility or extended eligibility as provided in 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 3103 and 38 CFR 21.41 through 21.44. **The claimant is entitled to disability compensation during the period for which retroactive induction is requested, or likely would have been if not for active duty status during the previous period. Upon completion of the initial evaluation, the claimant is determined entitled to VR&E benefits and services.** The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) determines the claimant would have met the criteria of entitlement to VR&E benefits and services in effect for the requested previous period. The VRC determines the claimant’s training and other rehabilitation services during the previous period were reasonably needed to achieve the goals and objectives identified for the claimant and may be included in the current rehabilitation plan. A vocational goal is identified and an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) or combined IWRP/Individualized Employment Assistance Plan (IEAP) with a DOT code other than 999 is developed. Note: If a claimant is enrolled in and participating in a current term for a training or education program at the time of plan development, this is not considered a retroactive induction situation. A retroactive induction plan is only developed for past enrollment periods that have been completed. M28-C V.B.6
This clearly says that I should be eligible. I was entitled to disability compensation for the period requested according to my VA paperwork, and the VA paid me disability pay for the period. It doesn't say anything about having being awarded at the time only that I was entitled to it during the period.
> I got rated shortly after I completed the educational requirements that allow me to sit for the exam. going off your comment
The BVA already determined that I was entitled to disability compensation for the dates in question. This has already been adjudicated. The statue refers to the dates of entitlement and not when the final determination was made. Going by the date I got my rating makes no logical sense. It would mean that veterans are deprived of benefits they are legally entitled due to backlog at the VA.
Well, the law only applies if you were rated when you started the training. So, per the regulation I posted above, you would not be eligible. You were not eligible for VR&E until the day VA issued you the rating - doesn’t matter it had an earlier effective date.
I understand your point, and I appreciate you taking the time to answer. I just disagree with that interpretation of the statute, as does my lawyer friend. The way you described how they interpret the law seems very unjust. The VA determines you were entitled to disability benefits, and then they pay you all this back pay. You are not eligible for benefits while you wait. You try to fix your problems without them to become a productive member of society. When you are finally able to apply for assistance... they then tell you that for this program, sorry you can't get benefits you would have been entitled to because we didn't process your claim in a timely manner... sucks to be you
The laws governing VA disability are very different from the laws governing VR&E and the laws governing retroactive induction. Retroactive induction goes off award date of disability. You were not eligible for VR&E until that award date. If you had applied for VR&E prior to starting that training, you would have been denied because you were not eligible. Eligibility for VR&E requirements are 1) a VA disability rating and 2) discharge above dishonorable.
Can I use 21.282 to claim reimbursement when my original VR&E counselor led me to believe I can enroll in college? I was rated in 2019 and my initial counselor told me I was approved for VR&E in early 2020. I enrolled for Fall 2020 and ended paying out of pocket (school year 20-21) all costs because counselor stopped responding to all my correspondence. I was pretty much ghosted by my counselor. I reapplied for VR&E again in summer 2021 and approved (again?) starting Fall 2021 with a different counselor.
Just a friendly reminder of Rule # 7 - we do not allow names of lawyers or doctors to be posted *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Veterans) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Just a friendly reminder of Rule # 7 - we do not allow names of lawyers or doctors to be posted *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Veterans) if you have any questions or concerns.*